How are dreadlocks formed? Discover the difference in quality.
Dreadlocks come in all types, colors, shapes, and lengths. And how much has changed in the world of dreadlocks in recent years! The industry has grown enormously, and more and more courses are being offered that make it possible to become a dreadlock stylist yourself.
But what exactly makes all these different dreadlocks so different? And what should you look out for if you want to buy some?
We'd love to share our story with you. At Dreads & Frutsels, we've been creating dreadlocks with love for years. And we'd love to tell you how we do it, why we make certain decisions, and why quality is always our top priority.
Everyone has their own style.
We believe everyone should have the freedom to create dreadlocks and develop their own style. There are so many techniques, materials, and possibilities. That's what makes this world so exciting!
That's why we've been lovingly selling loose hair bundles for years. This allows you to get started yourself, experiment, and let your creativity run wild.
However, there is a difference between making your own dreadlocks and selling dreadlocks that are intended to be worn for years.
Unfortunately, in recent years we've seen an increasing number of kits whose quality leaves much to be desired. Dreadlocks that might look nice at first glance, but where important steps in the manufacturing process have been omitted.
And we think that's a shame. Because in our opinion, a beautiful dreadlock hairstyle is much more than just a few twisted strands of hair.
It all starts with the right hair type.
Before we even begin making a set, we take a look at the material we are working with.
We use different hair types and work with several manufacturers and suppliers. For example, we use Henlon and Kanekalon, among others.
We carefully select our hair, paying attention to the quality and properties of the material. The hair we use for our sets is produced without chemical coatings that would require pretreatment.
This also means: Don't soak your new dreadlocks in apple cider vinegar before wearing them. Much more comfortable, right?
We want you to be able to wear your set as quickly as possible, without unnecessary extra steps.
Mixing colors: That takes a lot of time!
We create most of our sets based on the sample sets you see in our webshop. However, we also produce many custom sets.
Have you ever seen a beautiful color combination yourself? Or do you want dreadlocks that match your own hair color as closely as possible? Then let's find the best result together.
Based on your photos and our conversation, we will search for the right colors and shades.
And then one of our favorite parts begins: blending the hair!
We mix, blend, and mix again. We repeat this until the colors blend harmoniously and we achieve the desired result.
Take a close look at your own hair. It's usually not a uniform color. You'll see light strands, dark shades, and all sorts of subtle color variations.
We try to capture precisely these nuances in our dreadlocks. This gives them more depth and a more natural look. Of course, we don't want your whole head to look like it's the same color all over!
And yes, that takes time. But it's precisely these small details that make the difference for us.
From loose strands to real dreadlocks
Once we are satisfied with the color mixture, we divide the hair into sections and carefully backcomb them.
We take into account how the dreadlocks are to be worn.
For double dreadlocks, we leave a small strand free so you can braid them into your own hair. Single dreadlocks are made with a loop so you can attach them in other ways.
But we are still a long way from that.
The most important work: hand felting and crocheting.
This is perhaps the most important part of the entire process.
All our dreadlocks are hand-felted and then further processed with a needle. We take the time to carefully style the hair and create the characteristic texture of our dreadlocks.
And it is precisely this step that we sometimes see neglected nowadays.
To speed up production, techniques are used where the hair is styled primarily with steam, hot water, or an iron. While this can be part of the process with certain materials and techniques, heat alone does not replace the careful felting or crocheting of dreadlocks.
Not every hair type is suitable for every heat treatment. Incorrect application can damage or even scorch the hair.
We therefore consciously choose to give each dreadlock the right structure by hand. While this is more labor-intensive, the result is more than worth the extra effort.
Ultimately, we want our dreadlocks to look good not only in photos, but also up close. With a texture that looks as natural as possible, as if the dreadlocks had grown on their own.
And after that? Then comes the steam treatment!
Once the handwork is complete, we steam our dreadlocks using a professional Jiffy steamer.
This helps us to finish the dreadlocks and beautifully showcase their shape.
For us, steaming is therefore part of the process after felting and crocheting, and not a replacement for it.
Only the interplay of all steps guarantees the final result that we stand behind.
Any length, from 10 to 60 cm
Once all the dreadlocks are finished, we will cut them to the correct length.
Whether you prefer shorter dreadlocks or long ones: We make them in lengths from 10 to 60 cm and all intermediate lengths.
This way we can take your wishes and the desired appearance into account.
And would you like your set decorated? For example, with beautiful pearls or other embellishments? Then that's the final step.
We will complete your set as agreed, so it's ready for your dreadlock adventure!
Why aren't our dreadlocks the cheapest?
That's a question we understand very well.
Of course, you can find dreadlocks in many places. And of course, there are price differences.
But there's more to dreadlocks than just the price of the hair. You have to consider the color selection and mixing, the backcombing, the felting and hand-crocheting, the finishing, and the time required to create a set exactly to your liking.
We could work faster if we skipped certain steps. But that's not how we want to create our sets.
We focus on quality, not the lowest price. Because we want you to be happy with your new dreadlocks not just today, but for a long time to come.
In our opinion, a good set is an investment in something you can enjoy for years to come, provided you wear and care for the dreadlocks correctly.
Are you going to buy dreadlocks? Don't be afraid to ask questions!
We think it's important that you know what you're buying. You don't need to be an expert to choose a nice set, but it doesn't hurt to ask the salesperson a few questions.
For example, ask:
What hair type is used?
How do dreadlocks form?
Are they felted or hand-crocheted?
How are they completed?
Are they suitable for your desired wearing method?
A good salesperson can explain how dreadlocks are made and what you can expect in terms of quality.
After all, you don't want to buy a new set full of enthusiasm, only to find that the dreadlocks lose their structure or start to unravel.
Made with love, especially for you
At Dreads & Frutsels, we've been doing this work with great joy for years. We love combining colors, creating new color combinations, and designing sets that perfectly match our customers' wishes.
Whether you choose one of our existing sets or have a set custom-made: Behind every set lies care, craftsmanship and a love for the craft.
We are convinced that you will be able to see the difference in the details. And of course, we hope that you will also feel this difference when you hold your new dreadlocks in your hands for the first time.
Because ultimately, we only want one thing: for you to wear your set with pride and enjoy it for a long time.
Love,
Nelleke, Dreads & Frills
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